Saturday, August 3, 2013

1952 Aermacchi Cigno 125

I recently acquired a couple of 1950's Italian motorcycles. This one is a 1952 Aermacchi Cigno 125. Aermacchi was originally an Italian aircraft manufacturer founded in 1912 by Giulio Macchi. After WWII they began producing motorcycles to fill the post-war need for inexpensive, efficient transportation.The Cigno was the very first motorcycle that Aermacchi produced from 1951-53. In 1960 Harley Davidson purchased 50% of Aermacchi's motorcycle division and by 1974 owned the motorcycle division outright. Harley Davidson Aermacchi's are quite common in the US, but early pre-Harley Aermacchi's are quite scarce in the US. For a 60 year motorcycle, this one is in pretty amazing original condition.

This motorcycle has some very unique features. What at first glance appears to be a gas tank is actually a storage compartment that can be dropped down converting the bike into a step through scooter type configuration. With the storage compartment up, the bike has more of a traditional motorcycle appearance. The gas tank is located under the front solo seat. You can see the gas cap below the seat. It's a little awkward putting gas in the bike. You need a can with a flexible spout.

Another unique feature is the engine mounted to the pivoting rear swing arm with the exhaust being routed through the swing arm.

Even though this bike has a few spots of light surface rust, some dings and scratches, it has a really nice original patina. There's part of me that would like to touch up an re-chrome a few things on the bike, and there's a part of me that would like to leave it as is. As they say, it's only original once.